Blitz those common design blips with our style remedies for sore bathrooms.

WORDS ANNA MCCOOE

Help! My bathroom is always damp and the grout between the tiles is going black. What should I do?
The root cause here is condensation, which is easily deflected but can turn nasty if left untreated. Once damp has set in behind tiles, they will have to be removed and replaced – but as the old adage goes, prevention is better than a cure, so take these steps to fend off the wet and keep your bathroom bright.

1. Treat existing mould. Wipe down surfaces and windows with an antibacterial wash several times over a number of weeks. If you're retiling, an antibacterial grout from Dunlop will prevent damp from setting in, while the latest grout whiteners from Selleys will introduce a protective barrier as well as touching up grout lines.
2. Prevent more mould. Apply a waterproof coating, such as EnduroShield, to shower screens and tiles to deflect water and soapy build-ups. Most local governments offer a water-auditing service where a plumber will detect and fix leaks for a tiny fee (usually about $25). Go to www.smartwatermark.info for details.
3. Let the air flow. An open window will circulate air and introduce UV light – mould's natural enemy. That said, not all panes are created equal. Experts recommend window openings should be equivalent to at least 10 per cent of the bathroom floor area.
4. Install a fan. If your bathroom window's small or there are (gasp!) no windows at all, an exhaust fan is the next best solution. An effective exhaust fan should change every cubic metre of air at least 10 times an hour. To work this out, multiply your bathroom length, height and width to get the size in cubic metres and multiply by 10.

Help! My bathroom is a hazard zone for kids. How can I make it safer?
With slippery floors and hot water quite literally on tap, danger lurks in the bathroom; and if you have children in the house, an unsafe bathroom is cause for alarm. But since you already have your safety hat on, why not go one step further and make your bathroom safe for guests of all ages?

1. Go non-slip. If you're retiling your floors, avoid heavily glazed options and go for a textured porcelain. If you're after an easy fix, resurfacing companies such as ThermoGlaze offer a texturising treatment for existing tiles starting at about $150 per square metre.
2. Scald-proof your bathroom. Did you know it takes just three seconds for a child to get burnt? Since you can't watch your children every second of the day – trust us, we've tried – lowering your hot water thermostat is the way to go. While most thermostats are set at about 80°C, a temperature between 50 and 54°C is more than sufficient for a hot, but not scalding, shower.
3. Lock it up. With bleaches, razors and medicine often stored in the bathroom, a lockable cabinet positioned out of your child's reach is a true lifesaver. For a cheap and chic fix, try Ikea's Atran cabinet, $59.
4. Up the accessibility. If you're planning on updating your bathroom, why not go age-proof? While we hate to admit it, we're all growing older and with a good renovation lasting around 20 years, accessibility should be top of mind. Go for grab rails by the toilet, bath and shower and plenty of room to move between zones. Visit Reece Access for more information; www.reece.com.au/reeceaccess.

Help! I can't seem to make it through my bathroom door without battling clutter. What should I do?
Storage deficiency! Solution – start shopping! With a prognosis such as this, additional storage is the only answer. Hit the shops for racks, shelves and trolleys, choosing pieces that will maximise the sense of space in your bathroom.

1. Introduce storage. If it hangs, swivels or rolls, you quite possibly need it in your bathroom. Try a shower caddy that hangs over the door or a narrow storage trolley that can be wheeled out of sight. A towel rail tacked on to the basin or shelving is a masterstroke for saving time as well as space.
2. Add seating with integrated storage. With bathrooms doubling-up as lifestyle spaces, seating is a hot addition for anyone who wants to bring their bathrooms into the now – but who has the space? The answer is to introduce banquette seats and stools that double as extra storage for bathroom paraphernalia.
3. Explore your walls. Incorporate extra storage by integrating shelving into your wall cavities. Try adding an alcove in the shower for soaps and a recessed mirror-fronted cabinet behind your basin – just ensure there are no pipes or electricals in the way. Best of all, this method takes up no space whatsoever.
4. White-out the clutter. Once you've stashed away your bathroom provisions in style, tackle any visual irritations that might make the area look cramped or cluttered. A palette of just one or two harmonious colours will maximise the sense of space, with white winning points for reflecting sunlight around the room.

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